Fansided

Every NFL team’s greatest rushing season of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Pro Football Hall of Fame and Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) running into the record books as he has a career high and NFL single game rushing record 275 yards in the Bears 10-7 victory over the Vikings on 11/20/1977 at Soldier Field in Chicago Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/Getty Images)
Pro Football Hall of Fame and Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) running into the record books as he has a career high and NFL single game rushing record 275 yards in the Bears 10-7 victory over the Vikings on 11/20/1977 at Soldier Field in Chicago Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears: Walter Payton (1977)

It was the final 14-game season in the NFL and also the final year before the league made dramatic rule changes to make the passing game more prevalent. Hence, it was only fitting that one of the greatest players in NFL annals had a huge year and led his club to its first postseason appearance since 1963.

Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton had a somewhat quiet rookie season. The fourth overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft ran for only 679 yards and seven scores. He did catch 33 passes and also returned 14 kickoffs that year.

The Jackson State product earned All-Pro honors a year later when he carried 311 times for 1,390 yards and 13 scores. Payton was just getting warmed up when it came to his NFL career.

In 1977, Chicago’s workhorse finished the season with 339 carries for 1,852 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for 100-plus yards in 10-of-14 contests. That included a then-NFL record 275 yards rushing vs. the Vikings in Week 10 at Soldier Field.

That season-yardage total in 1977 currently ranks 16th in NFL annals. More importantly, Payton was not only named the league’s MVP, the Bears won their final six games and clinched a playoff berth.

Next: Cincinnati Bengals

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